Shoe fastening device



Oct. 23, 1962 1. E. HAWKINS EI'AL 3,05

SHOE FASTENING DEVICE Filed March 22, 1960 Tic. 1

IN VEN TORS SMA/ZEVE. I/VE/K/IL ff/A NE ,5. HA wmvs AffOPA/f) United States Patent 3,059,351 SHOE FASTENING DEVICE Thane E. Hawkins and Stanley E. Weikal, Meadville, Pa., assignors to Talon, Inc., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Mar. 22, 1960, Ser. No. 16,723 6 Claims. (Cl. 36-50) This invention relates to fastening devices particularly adaptable for show and the like, and more particularly, to an improvemnet of the fastening device disclosed in the co-pending application of Clive B. Forrester, Serial No. 445,779, filed July 26, 1954, now Patent Number 2,969,573 granted January 31, 1962.

In such a fastening device, there is provided generally a resilient wire member bent to substantially V-shape so as to provide a pair of spaced-apart arm-like portions integrally connected together at one end by a transversely extending trunnion portion. There is hingedly attached to this trunnion, a bearing-like portion arranged at one end of a manipulating or actuating member. Between the manipulating member and the resilient arm portion there is arranged a rigid yoke-like member having one end thereof pivotally attached to the inner side of the manipulating member intermediate the length thereof. On the opposite end of this rigid member there is arranged a pair of spaced-apart hook-like portions which slidably engage the arm-like portions of the wire member whereby the arm-like portions are moved toward or away from one another upon movement of the manipulating member.

-In the construction shown in the aforesaid Forrester application, the two free ends of the wire member are connected to a pair of opposed wing members arranged in pockets in the flap portions of the shoe to either side of the front opening therein. This arrangement of connecting the wire member to the shoe is not entirely satisfactory mainly for the reason that the Wing members tend to cut or tear the leather of the shoe around the pocket openings after a period of usage, and which oftentimes resulted in complete displacement of these wing members from the pockets which, of course, is objectionable. Also, this arrangement was difiicult to assemble in and remove from the shoe in case the fastening device became damaged or broken.

Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide an improved construction of the shoe fastening device disclosed in the aforesaid Forrester application.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide an improved means for attaching and anchoring the free ends of the wire member to the edges of the opening in a shoe which more securely engages the edge substantially along the full length of the edges thereof.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved means for attaching the wire member to the edges of a shoe which is so constructed and arranged that the assembly may be easily and quickly removed from or assembled in the shoe with the least amount of effort.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved fastening device of the class described in which the wire member is constructed and arranged so that the fastening device will function more efficiently and effectively and can be incorporated with shoes of various designs.

Various other objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent in the course of the following specification, and Will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown for the purpose of illustration, an embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

3,059,351 Fatented Oct. 23, 1962 ice FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a shoe having the improved fastening device of the present invention incorporated therewith and showing it in its fully closed position,

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a shoe, similar to FIG. 1, showing the fastening device in its fully open position,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of inner side of the fastening device in its open position, partially broken away, particularly showing the construction of the wire member,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the inner side of the fastening device showing in it its closed position, and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and as more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, such a fastening device consisting generally of a relatively stiff resilient wire member 8 made of spring steel or some other suitable material which is bent to substantially V-shape so as to provide spaced-apart arm-like portions 9 and 10 integrally connected together at the lower end thereof by means of a substantially oval-shaped portion so as to provide a transversely extending trunnion portion 16.

A rigid member 19 is provided which extends between the manipulating member 17 and the arms 9 and 10 of the resilient wire member 8. This rigid member 19 consists preferably of two parts 20 and 21 with one slidably arranged within the other so as to be telescopically arranged for adjusting the length thereof. On the outer end of the upper part 20, there is arranged a yoke-shaped portion having a pair of hook-shaped ear portions 22 and 23 which slidably engage with and are disposed around the respective arms 9 and 10 of the resilient member 8. These hook-shaped ear portions 22 and 23 are spaced apart so as to permit the insertion and removal of the arms 9 and 10 therebetween when desired. The outer end of the lower part 21 is pivotally connected preferably to a pair of spaced-apart bearing portions 24 struck up from the body of the manipulating member 17 intermediate its length, by means of a transversely extending pin 25 positioned at a spaced distance from the hinged connection 18. Adjacent these bearing portions 24, there is also struck up from the body of the manipulating member 17, a pair of elongated parallel resilient portions or projections 26 which are spaced apart from one another a distance slightly less than the width of the part 21 of the rigid member 19 with which they are adapted to cooperate to lock the fastener in closed position in a manner to be described. The portions 26 may be extensions of the bearing portions 24, if so desired.

The lower port 21 of the rigid member 19 has upwardly and inwardly extending marginal flanges 12 so as to provide a channel therebetween for slidably receiving the inner end of the part 29. Adjacent the inner end of this part 21, there is arranged a pin-like projecting portion 29 which is disposed on the end of a leaf-like spring portion 30 struck up from the body portion of this part 21. There is arranged on the upper part 20 of the rigid member 19;, laterally extending marginal flange portions which are disposed in under the marginal flanges and in the channel of the lower part 21. Centrallyrof the upper part 20, there is arranged a series of spacedapart apertures 32 with which the pin-like projection 29 of the lower part 21 engages to adjust selectively the two parts 20 and 21 relative to one another so as to adjust the length of the rigid member 19. I

It will be understood that the hook-shaped ear portions 22 and 23 grasp the arms 9 and 10 of the resilient member 8 and draw them together as the yoke-shaped portion of the upper part 20 of the rigid member 19 slides V 3 therealong. The rigid member 19 and in turn the arms 9 and 10 are moved by the manipulating member 17 and it will be seen that the manipulating member makes the largest angle with both the resilient member 8 and rigid member 19 when the manipulating member is in its open position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, thereby permitting the arms 9 and 10 to be spread apart. In the closed or locked position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, it will be seen that the manipulating member 17 makes the smallest angle With both the resilient member 8 and the rigid member 19 and is disposed substantially parallel thereto, thereby holding the arms 9 and 10 inwardly against the inherent resilient force of these arms tending to spread them apart. In such closed position, it will be understood that the rigid member 19 is forced and positioned between the pair of elongated parallel inwardly extending projecting portions 26 of the manipulating member 17 which parallel portions are sprung and in engagement with the marginal flange portions of the rigid member 19 so as to lock the manipulating member in locked position and to prevent unintentional movement thereof.

According to the present invention each of the arm like portions 9 and 10 of the wire member 8 are reversely bent, as at 60, so as to provide arm-like portions 61 and 62 which are spaced from the respective arms 9 and 10. On the free end of each of these arm-like portions 61 and 62, there is formed a hook-like respectively, which detachably engage and cooperate with the Wire member at the sides of the oval shaped portion adjacent the trunnion portion 16 at each side thereof to form in cooperation with the respective arms 9 and 10 a closed loop-like portion, as more'clearly shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings for the purpose of attaching the assembly to a shoe.

Having described the construction of my improved fastening device, it is assembled in a shoe in the following manner. There is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings the front portion of a shoe having the usual instep opening, side instep or flap portions 2 and 3 to either side of the opening and an inner tongue T. The edges of these flap portions 2 and 3 bordering the opening are preferably folded upon themselves and stitched longitudinally therealong, as at S, so as to provide longitudinally extending slots or openings 4 and 5, respectively, between the folds of the flaps which slots extend throughout the length of the opening and the flap portions, as more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings.

In assembling the fastening device in the shoe, the hook-like portions 63 and 64 of the respective reversely bent arm-like portions 61 and 62 of the wire member 8 are disengaged from the oval-shaped-portion of the wire members in a manner as the arm-like member 62 is shown in the full lines of FIG. 3. These arm-like portions are then inserted into the upper end of the respective slots 4- and in the flap portions of the shoe and moved therethrough until the extreme outer ends thereof carrying the respective hook-like portions 63 and 64 protrude beyond the lower ends of the respective slots. The hook-like portions 63 and 64 are then moved to position into the oval shaped portion of the wire member so that these hook-shaped portions are disposed around and engage the wire member adjacent the trunnion portion 16. As a result, it will be seen that each of the arm-like members 61 and 62 in cooperation with the respective arm-like portions 9 and form a closed loop-like portion at each side of the shoe opening so as to securely attach the fastening device to the shoe. To remove the assembly from the shoe, the reverse procedure is followed. a

If desired, an ornamental plate P may be attached in any suitable manner to the outer side of the manipulating member 17, as more clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, so as to completely cover the fastening device when it portion 63 and 64,

is closed, thereby enhancing the appearance of the shoe, or a suitable leather flap may be provided which is then attached to the shoe adjacent the bottom of the opening therein and to which the manipulating member is suitably attached.

As a result of my invention, it will be seen that there is provided an improved shoe fastening device which can be easily and quickly assembled in and removed from the shoe. It will also be seen that the fastening device is so constructed and arranged and attached to the shoe in such a manner as to reduce to a minimum any possibility of damaging the shoe or from becoming displaced therefrom after a period of usage. It 'will be seen further that the wire member is more or less flexibly attached to the fiapsof the shoe which results in case of operation of the fastening device and more comfort to the foot of the wearer of the shoe.

While I have shown and described an embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this embodiment is merely for the purpose of illustration and description, and that other forms may be devised within the scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a shoe fastening device, a resilient slide wire member bent to a substantially V-shape so as to provide a pair of spaced-apart arm portions integrally connected together at one end by a transversely extending trunnion portion, the free end of each of said arm portions being reversely bent so as to form in cooperation therewith a loop-like portion on the outer side of each of said arm portions, and means arranged on the extreme outer ends of each of said reversely bent portions which detachably engage said wire member adjacent said trunnion portion to each side thereof to form a closed loop, a manipulating member having means arranged on the lower end thereof for pivotally attaching the same to the trunnion portion of said wire member, a rigid member having one end thereof pivotally attached to said manipulating member at a spaced distance from its pivotal connection with said trunnion portion, means arranged on the opposite end of said rigid member slidably engaging the arm portions of said wire member for opening and closing the assembly, and means for locking the manipulating member in its closed position substantially parallel to the arms of said wire member. V

2. In a shoe fastening device, as defined in claim 1, wherein the means arranged on the extreme outer ends of each of the reversely bent portions which engage the wire member consists of a hook-like portion which detachably engages the wire member. 7

3. In a shoe fastening device, a resilient slide wire member bent to a substantially V-shape so as to provide a pair of spaced-apart arm portions integrally connected together at one end by a transversely extending trunnion portion, the free end of each of said arm portions being reversely bent so as to form in cooperation therewith a loop-like portion on the outer side of each of said arm portions, and means arranged on the extreme outer ends of each of said reversely bent portions which detachably engage said wire member adjacent said trunnion portion to each side thereof to form a closed loop, a manipulating member having means arranged on the lower end thereof for pivotally attaching the same to the trunnion portion of said wire member, a rigid member having one end thereof pivotally attached to said manipulating member at a spaced distance from its detachably pivotal connection with said trunnion portion, a hook portion arranged on the opposite end of said rigid member adapted to slidably engage the arm portions of said wire member for opening and closing the assembly, and means for locking the manipulating member in its closed position substantially parallel to the arms of said wire member.

4. In combination with a shoe having'a pair of flaps bordering an opening therebetween, each of said flaps having a longitudinally extending slot arranged in the marginal edge thereof which is open at each end, a fastening device arranged in said opening between the marginal edges of said flaps, said fastening device comprising a resilient slide wire member bent to a substantially V- shape so as to provide a pair of spaced-apart arm portions integrally connected together at one end by a transversely extending trunnion portion, the free end of each of said arm portions being reversely bent and extending down into and through the respective longitudinally extending slots in opposed marginal edges of said flaps, with the extreme outer end of the reversely bent portions extending out through the lower end of the slots in said flaps, means arranged on the extreme outer ends of each of said reversely bent portions which engage said wire member adjacent the trunnion portion to each side thereof whereby the said wire member is detachably attached to the flaps of the shoe, a manipulating member having means arranged on the lower end thereof for pivotally attaching the same to the trunnion portion of said wire member, a rigid member having one end thereof pivotally attached to said manipulating member at a spaced distance from its pivotal connection with said trunnion portion, means arranged on the opposite end of said rigid member slidably engaging the arm portions of said wire member for opening and closing the assembly, and means for locking the manipulating member in its closed position substantially parallel to the arms of said wire member over the opening in the shoe.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4, wherein the means arranged on the extreme outer ends of each of the reversely bent portions which engage the wire member consists of a hook-like portion which detachably engages the wire member.

6. In combination with a shoe having a pair of flaps bordering an opening therebetween, each of said flaps having a longitudinally extending slot arranged in the marginal edge thereof which is open at each end, a fastening device arranged in said opening between the marginal edges of said flaps, said fastening device comprising a resilient slide wire member bent to a substantially V-shape so as to provide a pair of spaced-apart arm portions integrally connected together at one end by a transversely extending trunnion portion, the free end of each of said arm portions being reversely bent and extending down into and through the respective longitudinally extending slots in opposed marginal edges of said flaps, with the extreme outer end of the reversely bent portions extending out through the lower end of the slots in said flaps, means arranged on the extreme outer ends of each of said reversely bent portions which engage said Wire member adjacent the trunnion portion to each side thereof Whereby the said wire member is detachably attached to the flaps of the shoe, a manipulating member having means arranged on the lower end thereof for pivotally attaching the same to the trunnion portion of said Wire member, a rigid member having one end thereof pivotally attached to said manipulating member at a spaced distance from it detachably pivotal connection with said trunnion portion, a hook portion arranged on the opposite end of said rigid member adapted to slidably engage the arm portions of said wire member for opening and closing the assembly, and means for locking the manipulating member in its closed position substantially parallel to the arms of said wire member over the opening in the shoe.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,578,273 Schutz July 24, 1928 2,243,737 Marinetti May 27, 1941 2,268,003 Walters Dec. 30, 1944 2,637,087 Forrester May 5, 1953 2,891,328 VOlk June 23, 1959 2,925,672 Trovato Feb. 23, 1960' 2,969,573 Forrester Jan. 31, 1961 2,983,019 Rae May 9, 1961 2,987,835 Forrester June 13, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 207,391 Australia Apr. 3, 1957 

